Congratulations to the sexually active community in Malawi. However, the Ministry of Health is expressing concern about the significant rise in the country’s population. Reports indicate that Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe alone witnesses the birth of 70 babies daily.
Adrian Chikumbe, a spokesperson for the Ministry, attributes this trend to the failure of sexually active individuals to adhere to family planning methods. Meanwhile, Gertrude Ngwalo Chatinkha, a Nursing Officer in the Cervix and Gynecology Department at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, describes the average of 40 daily births at their facility as alarming.
Faith Kadzanja, spokesperson for the Family Planning Association of Malawi, acknowledges progress in enhancing access to modern contraceptives. However, she points out existing gaps, particularly in ensuring that those in need of contraceptives can readily obtain them. Kadzanja notes that contraceptive uptake among youths remains low, leading to teenage pregnancies and, unfortunately, unsafe abortions.
